Toshiba 46WL863B LED LCD 3D TV Review

The Regza WL863 series is the current range-topper in Toshiba’s 2011 lineup of HDTV models in the United Kingdom, owing to the company’s decision not to release the mouthwateringly-specced 55ZL1 which features 512-zone local-dimming LED backlight technology on these shores. Nevertheless, the Toshiba 46WL863 which we’re reviewing today is no slouch itself, boasting edge-mounted LEDs, 3D capabilities, and the firm’s “Toshiba Places” internet-connected portal. We also can’t wait to evaluate the onboard CEVO video processing engine that is derived from the CELL microprocessor used to power the Sony PS3. Let’s get stuck in, shall we?

Disclaimer: The specific model we tested was the Toshiba 46WL863B, which is the 3-pin-plug British version. Throughout this article the terms Toshiba 46WL863 and 46WL863B are used interchangeably to refer to the same LED TV. While we did not review the smaller 42-inch 42WL863B nor the larger 55-inch 55WL863B, there should not be any significant difference in picture performance (bar 3D viewing immersiveness as a result of differing screen sizes) given similar specifications.

Design

From the moment we took the panel out of the shipping box to be assembled on the included pedestal stand, we couldn’t help but be impressed by the Toshiba 46WL863B’s minimalistically clean lines and many other design elements which simply oozed quality. The semi-reflective LCD screen is framed by a slim, matte grey bezel, the bottom border of which widens to accommodate a Toshiba logo at the centre, as well as a few classy LED indicators and touch-sensitive control buttons on the right.

Toshiba 46WL863B

Despite the slender profile made possible by edge LED backlighting, the television set feels wonderfully solid – there’s certainly no hint of creaky plastics nor loose screws here. Borrowing some stylistic cues from Danish design powerhouse Jacob Jensen, the table-top stand sports a circular punched-out hole located at the base of the silver pedestal stem, whose front is moulded in the shape of a triangular prism.

Remote control with metallic cover

The Danish design group’s aesthetic influence does not stop there… it extends to the remote control too. A cover with brushed metallic effect is found near the middle of the remote, which is slidable into one of three positions to hide or unhide some of the buttons. Although it adds some reassuring heft, the metal cover unfortunately makes the clicker somewhat unwieldy to hold in the hand, especially when slided to its bottom-most position (which is necessary to access the all-important [3D] button, without which 3D mode cannot be activated on the Toshiba 46WL863).

Connections

To keep the chassis strikingly slim, breakout adaptors (supplied with the TV) are used for SCART, component and even VGA connections.

Connections on Toshiba 46WL863
Rear: 4 x HDMI, VGA, component, SCART, aerial, satellite, LAN, 2 x USB, & CI slot

Toshiba TPA-1 Auto-Calibration Tool

For the purpose of this review, Toshiba sent us a TPA-1 (Toshiba Picture Analyzer 1) light meter to be used in conjunction with the auto-calibration function on the 46WL863B. It is essentially a rebadged X-rite iDisplay Pro, a colorimeter which is capable of extremely fast readings, and requires no dark calibration, two attributes that we think will appeal tremendously particularly to the uninitiated.

Toshiba TPA-1 colour analyzer

For one specific reason that we will reveal in the next section, auto-calibration can only be carried out in the WL863’s [Hollywood Pro] picture mode. By hooking up the Toshiba TPA-1 to the TV’s USB input 1, and then accessing the appropriate submenus among the picture settings, users can choose to either calibrate colour or greyscale/gamma on the WL863. A sequence of internal test patterns will be displayed on screen, which will then be measured by the meter, and the readings fed back to the TV for the necessary adjustments to be made. The whole process is extremely fast and painless – auto-calibration of both colour and greyscale/gamma took less than five minutes on our 46WL863 sample – but are the results satisfactory? Read on to find out.

 

19 comments

  1. Thanks for the great review, as always!

    I’m really curious about this TPA-1 colour analyser, because I think auto calibration is a great feature that should be further enhanced and also picked up by other manufacturers. Can you get it from Toshiba directly? I can’t find it anywhere else so far.

    Also, would the 42 inch version be as good in terms of picture quality and most importantly black levels as the 46 inch? I guess the 46 inch is equipped with a S-PVA panel but Sony-Samsung don’t make any 42 inch panels as far as I’m aware (or am I completely wrong here?) so it should have an IPS panel then?

    Was the banding only visible from an angle or also when viewing directly?

    At the end of the review of the Samsung C580 from last year, in update 3, Nielo (?) mentioned that “the panel I received (1017 Slovakia) did has the classic S-PVA banding, which is far more tolerable but did significantly improve after 24 burn-in.” What does 24 burn-in mean exactly? Is it a 24 hour break-in? And if it is, what content should be used on screen?

    Sorry for the many questions.

    Greetings

  2. panel WL863 is AUO AMVA !!!

    Toshiba ZL1 is S-PVA HQ series…

  3. Hi,
    I have 3 question to ask you.

    1) What are causes of undersaturation of the red color? Is it the AUO AMVA panel or the controls/piloting system ? If it is the latter, could the problem be solved with a fw?

    2) What kind of pulldown does the Tv have to apply with Hd movies (1080i) broadcasted on SkyHd? Is it 2:2 or 3:2 ? Does the WL863 have problems with the SkyHd 1080i movies cadence ?

    3) Is the WL863 M800 the best interpolation system (or one of the best together with Sony XR800 motionflow)?
    Why do you describe the CEVO engine as “decent”?
    Do you judge the CEVO engine just “decent” especially for bad deinterlacing system?

  4. Hello,
    please be so kind and share your 2D and 3D settings including 10p white balance on facebook!

  5. @ Black Swan

    No, AFAIK 46WL863 uses S-PVA Samsung panel hence such a good black level.

  6. I forgot, 42WL863 has AUO A-MVA indeed.

  7. So the 42 inch model uses an A-MVA panel and the 46 inch uses an S-PVA. Oh boy, so the 42 will be worse then :-(

    But what kind of panel is used in Samsungs and Sonys current 40 inch models then? As far as I can get information from AUOs official website, they don’t make 40 inch LCD panels (http://auo.com/?sn=149&lang=en-US&c=23).

    Are they using CMO MVA panels then? Would be a freaking rip-off, sersiously!

  8. Toshiba official document

    Toshiba WL/YL863 42/46/55 inch
    panels: AUO/Amoy >> Xiamen products

    AU Optronics of New
    Manufacturing Plant in Xiamen, China

    There are various links in the forums that talk about it

  9. Some users Italian and German

    who have checked Toshiba WL863
    back through the grate, models 46/55 ”

    AUO panels have confirmed

    Found posts in AV Magazine
    Forum Italian and Hi-Fi Forum (German)

  10. May I oncemore ask you to publish your 2d and 3d settings on facebook. thanks in advance!

  11. @BlackSwan
    Then I have to slam my source :-) Thanks for correction Black Swan and sorry for confusion. I’ve got info, that 46″ version had letter K which should mean Samsung panel. But looking through the vent holes is 100% sure :)

  12. For Xmas I wish your settings be posted on facebook =)

  13. Someone tested 3D (SBS) with newest Firmware ? (19.5.49.236 )
    Should be MUCH better….
    http://www.dl.toshiba.com/tsb-dtv/NA/GB/DE/46WL863G.html

  14. Appreciate the review! Bought my Sony W3000 because of the HDTVest. And now this one! The publication of the settings are worth waiting for :-)

  15. Vincent will you be posting the settings for the manuel 2d calibration on your facebook page? Thanks:)

  16. Hi, I have only one question. Is it 4:4:4 chroma capable?

  17. WHich other calibrators is this compatible with? I would like to buy a calibrator and use it with the auto calibration. I cannot find the Toshiba calibrator for sale anyway so I would like to purchase a different one.

  18. I’m really considering buying this tv. It just sucks that no store in my hometown seems to have it, so i can’t demo it. The only way to buy it is from online stores, and i dont know if should take that risk. Unless they can guarantee me that i can return it, if it turns out i really dislike it.

    I’m a hardcore gamer and i want the best picture quality available. If i’m going to buy this tv, it means i’ve made the switch from plasma to lcd. And when i do that..i must be sure that my games look smooth, no real lags and should look amazing.

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